NJSO concert delights preschool students

The NJSO presented two concerts for preschool audiences on Thursday, October 3, in the Victoria Theater at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, performing for more than 700 tiny patrons ages 3-5 and their teachers. Associate Conductor Gemma New and actors from Puppet Kitchen inspired the young concertgoers to use their imaginations while learning about fundamentals of music through pieces like Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee” and Saint-Saëns’ “The Swan.”

Educators from IEP Early Childhood Center of the Ironbound in Newark said that their students loved singing along with the music and imitating the conductor.

“My students and I really enjoyed the concert—the kids are still talking about [the puppet] Kazoo!” one teacher said. “I think every young child would love, learn and benefit from this experience. [The concert was] age appropriate and enjoyable, [and it taught students] new vocabulary.”

Photo by Fred Stucker.

The NJSO gratefully acknowledges the PNC Foundation for their generous support of this program.